[ OP-ED COLUMN ]

Focus on Facts When Viewing Health Care Act

Published: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 10:39 p.m.

My pet peeve, in the Legislature and out, is the all-too-common dissemination of incorrect information. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, everyone is not entitled to his own set of facts.

On numerous issues, when I decided to battle my own leadership, what was most frustrating was that facts were replaced by manufactured talking points as if facts don’t matter.

This is one of the most dangerous realities in politics today. The messenger becomes more important than the message. People will believe what and whom they want to believe, and pay scant attention to what is real, what is true, what can be proved.

Too often the person who wants to put the facts on the table is not rewarded for fairness, hard work or truth seeking, but rather is viewed as a traitor for not toeing the party line and not regurgitating the talking points, however inaccurate.

Am I a fan of the new federal health care policy or a staunch opponent? Neither. I don’t possess enough information to form an opinion. Having just spent a week in the hospital, I was worried about costs but grateful that I was able to keep my health insurance.

While in the Legislature, I had a very small copay for single coverage under the state policy. Upon leaving, I was able to keep the same coverage but at a monthly premium of nearly $600. I was relieved to have access to insurance, despite the $7,200 annual cost.

Before doing any research, I came to the following opinions: President Barack Obama and those supporting the law did a terrible job of explaining, defending and promoting it. Many Republicans and other opponents of the law were so determined to defeat it that they didn’t let facts get in the way. So both are at fault for where we are now.

The law passed both houses of Congress and was signed by the president. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality.

States can refuse federal funds to expand Medicaid. Some states with Republican governors, including Florida, have refused. But the majority has agreed to expansion to provide needed health care to their under-served populations.

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has voted more than 40 times to cut Obamacare funding, but it has not voted on a replacement plan.

The Affordable Care Act mandates that all people carry health insurance or pay an income tax penalty. There are some exceptions, primarily for those under a certain income level who would now be eligible for Medicaid.

In addition to refusing the federal funds for expanding Medicaid, the state of Florida has chosen not to form its own exchange, has punted regulation of rates to the federal government and, most recently, has directed the 60 local departments of health to prohibit specialists called navigators from assisting uninsured Floridians to navigate the complex marketplace.

Three of the most repeated fallacies:

■ The president has excluded big businesses from the mandate. He has not excluded businesses, but has delayed implementation of this and several other provisions.

■ You won’t be able to keep your doctor. Based on the plan you pick, you can choose to keep your current doctors.

■ Rates will go up. From early results, the opposite seems to be true.

The reality: The president is not going to defund or repeal his signature health care law, and has no motivation to deal with a hostile House that has used every means to wreak havoc on it.

Having taken the oath of office, men and women of good intention should offer the president their help explaining and implementing the plan in exchange for fixing its flaws and improving upon it in a meaningful and sincere manner. In this age of distrust and partisan rancor, I won’t hold my breath.

In the meantime, I urge Floridians to educate themselves on the law. The Kaiser Family Foundation has a good, impartial Web page: www.bit.ly/16CQI0X.

After Oct. 1, I plan to check out the marketplace at www.healthcare.gov to see if I can get better coverage at a lower price, the true intent of the law. I encourage you to do the same.

<p>My pet peeve, in the Legislature and out, is the all-too-common dissemination of incorrect information. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, everyone is not entitled to his own set of facts.</p><p>On numerous issues, when I decided to battle my own leadership, what was most frustrating was that facts were replaced by manufactured talking points as if facts don't matter.</p><p>This is one of the most dangerous realities in politics today. The messenger becomes more important than the message. People will believe what and whom they want to believe, and pay scant attention to what is real, what is true, what can be proved.</p><p>Too often the person who wants to put the facts on the table is not rewarded for fairness, hard work or truth seeking, but rather is viewed as a traitor for not toeing the party line and not regurgitating the talking points, however inaccurate.</p><p>Am I a fan of the new federal health care policy or a staunch opponent? Neither. I don't possess enough information to form an opinion. Having just spent a week in the hospital, I was worried about costs but grateful that I was able to keep my health insurance.</p><p>While in the Legislature, I had a very small copay for single coverage under the state policy. Upon leaving, I was able to keep the same coverage but at a monthly premium of nearly $600. I was relieved to have access to insurance, despite the $7,200 annual cost.</p><p>Before doing any research, I came to the following opinions: President Barack Obama and those supporting the law did a terrible job of explaining, defending and promoting it. Many Republicans and other opponents of the law were so determined to defeat it that they didn't let facts get in the way. So both are at fault for where we are now.</p><p>The law passed both houses of Congress and was signed by the president. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality.</p><p>States can refuse federal funds to expand Medicaid. Some states with Republican governors, including Florida, have refused. But the majority has agreed to expansion to provide needed health care to their under-served populations.</p><p>The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has voted more than 40 times to cut Obamacare funding, but it has not voted on a replacement plan.</p><p>The Affordable Care Act mandates that all people carry health insurance or pay an income tax penalty. There are some exceptions, primarily for those under a certain income level who would now be eligible for Medicaid.</p><p>In addition to refusing the federal funds for expanding Medicaid, the state of Florida has chosen not to form its own exchange, has punted regulation of rates to the federal government and, most recently, has directed the 60 local departments of health to prohibit specialists called navigators from assisting uninsured Floridians to navigate the complex marketplace.</p><p>Three of the most repeated fallacies:</p><p>■ The president has excluded big businesses from the mandate. He has not excluded businesses, but has delayed implementation of this and several other provisions.</p><p>■ You won't be able to keep your doctor. Based on the plan you pick, you can choose to keep your current doctors.</p><p>■ Rates will go up. From early results, the opposite seems to be true.</p><p>The reality: The president is not going to defund or repeal his signature health care law, and has no motivation to deal with a hostile House that has used every means to wreak havoc on it.</p><p>Having taken the oath of office, men and women of good intention should offer the president their help explaining and implementing the plan in exchange for fixing its flaws and improving upon it in a meaningful and sincere manner. In this age of distrust and partisan rancor, I won't hold my breath.</p><p>In the meantime, I urge Floridians to educate themselves on the law. The Kaiser Family Foundation has a good, impartial Web page: www.bit.ly/16CQI0X.</p><p>After Oct. 1, I plan to check out the marketplace at www.healthcare.gov to see if I can get better coverage at a lower price, the true intent of the law. I encourage you to do the same.</p>